The Human Spark crew visited Helen Neville in her Brain Development Lab at the University of Oregon. Check out some behind-the-scenes photos from our day filming with her and colleagues — and research volunteers.

Young VolunteersResearch in Helen Neville’s lab at the University of Oregon depends on young volunteers who are willing to watch videos while their brain activity is monitored, non-invasively of course! Credit: Larry Engel

Conducting GooLooks kind of intimidating, but researchers just use this stuff to apply conducting goo to volunteers’ scalps so the brain’s activity can be more easily recorded through the skull. Not even a haircut is required! Credit: Maggie Villiger

In the Testing RoomThe “Human Spark” crew piles into the testing room, where researchers are explaining to volunteer Danica what she will be doing. Alan Alda looks on as Larry Engel films and John Garrett records sound. Credit: Maggie Villiger

Danica in the EEG CapDanica has been fitted with her EEG cap and some goo is being squirted into the holes to help conduct the brain’s signal to the electrodes. Credit: Maggie Villiger

All Hooked UpAll hooked up, Danica watches a cartoon that has semantic errors in the narration. The researchers want to see how her brain reacts to these mistakes. Credit: Larry Engel

Alan's TurnNow it’s Alan’s turn to have his brain activity monitored. Will his brain respond to semantic or grammatical errors, even if the language he’s listening to is gibberish? Credit: Larry Engel

Wired UpAlan’s all wired up and ready to go. You can’t have too much vanity as the host of “The Human Spark”! Credit: Larry Engel

Coffee BreakAfter a long day shooting in Eugene, the crew hit the road back up to Portland to catch an early morning flight to the next location. Along the way, a rest stop doubled as a coffee break. Credit: Larry Engel

In a three-part series originally brodcast on PBS in January 2010, Alan Alda takes this question personally, visiting with dozens of scientists on three continents -- even undergoing an examination of his own brain.» Learn More

Major funding for The Human Spark is provided by the National Science Foundation, and by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Additional funding is provided by the John Templeton Foundation, the Cheryl and Philip Milstein Family, and The Winston Foundation.